What are OKLCH colors? (jakub.kr)

Article summary

The article introduces the OKLCH color model, which is designed to be perceptually uniform, making it easier to work with colors. OKLCH consists of three values: Lightness, Chroma, and Hue, and it uses the OKLab color space. This model allows for consistent brightness and predictable shades, and it can define more colors than any real screen can show. The article also discusses the advantages and limitations of OKLCH, including its ability to create perceptually uniform color palettes and its potential issues with gradients.

Main themes

• Color models
• Perceptual uniformity
• Color spaces
• Gradients and interpolation
• Display gamut and limitations

What commenters say

• OKLCH and OKLab are different color models with distinct uses, and understanding their differences is important for effective use.
• The perceptual uniformity of OKLCH makes it a valuable tool for creating consistent color palettes, but it can also lead to unexpected results in certain situations.
• The issue of gradients and interpolation in OKLCH is a significant limitation, and different approaches may be needed to achieve desired results.
• The use of OKLCH can lead to colors that are outside the gamut of current displays, and this can cause problems with color accuracy and representation.
• The concept of a 'good' gradient is subjective and depends on the specific use case and desired outcome.
• The avoidance of gray in color gradients is not always necessary or desirable, and the perception of gray as a color versus a desaturated state is a matter of interpretation.
• The limitations of OKLCH are not solely due to hardware constraints, but also due to the fundamental properties of human color perception and the color space itself.